Cubs

Zhang Yun raised an eyebrow at the Immortal Eye's analysis. He retrieved an obsidian case and carefully placed the crystalline core inside. Pristine Golden Core nuclei like this could fund a small sect for months, he mused, recalling the degraded cores from Zuo Qiubei's puppets. Those damaged specimens couldn't compare to this throbbing reservoir of spiritual essence.

Leaning against the cooling bear carcass, he watched his disciples. Within minutes, the phantom manifestations around Xu Ming and Wu Xiaopang dissipated like morning mist.

"Well?" Zhang Yun prompted as their eyes fluttered open, golden irises still flickering with residual energy.

Wu Xiaopang practically vibrated with excitement. "Master! I absorbed wisps of that phantom's power! My muscles feel like tempered steel!"

"Good." Zhang Yun's lips quirked. "Tomorrow, you'll test that strength against a Qi Refining Peak beast."

The plump disciple's grin faltered momentarily before hardening into determination. "I won't disappoint you, Master!"

Xu Ming's response came quieter but no less intense. "I can summon the dragon phantom at will now."

"Demonstrate."

The youth closed his eyes. Golden qi spiraled from his pores, coalescing into scales that glittered like molten gold. A low draconic hum filled the air - leaves trembled, insects fell dead from nearby branches.

**"ROAR!"**​

The fully-formed dragon phantom erupted skyward, its shadow stretching across the clearing. Ants crunched under invisible pressure as Wu Xiaopang staggered back, awestruck.

**[Mutated Golden Dragon Phantom]**​

Flaw: Duration limited by cultivator's realm (Max 120 seconds)

Training Advice: Frequent activation extends manifestation window.

"Two minutes?" Zhang Yun inquired, noting Xu Ming's trembling knees.

The disciple nodded, sweat dripping from his chin. "Barely sustainable... but possible."

"Reserve this for dire moments," Zhang Yun advised before turning to Wu Xiaopang. "Don't gawk. Cultivate harder, and you'll manifest your Tyrant's Aspect properly."

Their lesson shattered as Huang Laodao's shout echoed through pines. "Young Masters! You must see this!"

The bear den reeked of musk and rotting meat. Two fuzzy cubs peered from a nest of twined branches, their button noses twitching. Barely larger than house cats, they shrank back as shadows fell across their sanctuary.

**[Spirit Bear Monarch Cubs]**​

Realm: Qi Refining Stage 2

Taming Method: Blood Bonding (Special Constitution Blood Preferred)

Potential: Golden Core Realm at maturity. Possible breakthrough with rare herbs.

Wu Xiaopang lunged forward only to recoil when a cub's claws shredded his sleeve. "Little demon! I just wanted to—"

"Patience." Zhang Yun caught the squirming cub mid-air. "Your blood, Xiaopang."

The disciple bit his thumb, wincing as he pressed the bleeding digit against the cub's tongue. The transformation was instantaneous - panicked squeals melted into contented purrs as the cub nuzzled Wu Xiaopang's chest.Xu Ming's approach triggered a different reaction. The remaining cub prostrated itself, forepaws covering its eyes in instinctive submission to draconic majesty.

"Impossible..." Huang Laodao breathed. "Blood bonding takes weeks, even for veteran beast tamers!"

Zhang Yun shrugged. "Basic zoological principles."

The daoist's eye twitched. Since when does basic knowledge include dominating monarch bloodlines?

Southern Wind Forest Perimeter​

Midnight oil lamps cast long shadows across the ranking monument. The crowd stood frozen before glowing numerals:

1st: Lingxian Sect Ninth Elder - 1,003 Points​

"Four digits?!" A South Mountain disciple's voice cracked. "He's slaughtering entire beast tribes!"

Suspicious glares turned toward Lingxian's contingent. "Pre-staged kills!" someone accused. "No one gains 648 points in minutes!"

Lingxian's Sect Master slammed his staff, cracking flagstones. "Our participation was confirmed five days prior! When would we plant spirit beasts?"

"Enough!" Mu Wenxian's voice cut through the uproar. "Each bracelet records kill verification holograms. Fraud claims will be settled post-event."

The revelation silenced critics but deepened Sect Master Ling's scowl. So this was their trapdoor - waiting for us to cry foul before revealing surveillance. His gaze swept Mu Wenxian and the South Mountain leader, noting their shared tension.

Forest Depths​

Zhang Yun tossed a medicinal herb to the now-docile cub chewing on Wu Xiaopang's sash. "Feed this nightly. Their growth accelerates with—"

A thunderous crash echoed through the trees. The cubs whimpered, burying faces in their owners' robes.

Huang Laodao's complexion turned ashen. "That tremor... It came from the monarch's burial site."

Zhang Yun's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Seems our slaughter attracted scavengers." He rose, bones cracking audibly. "Let's greet our guests properly."

The disciples exchanged glances, phantom energies flickering around their fists. Even the cubs bared milk teeth, golden and violet auras momentarily outlining their tiny forms.